Pundit verdict on Hakim Ziyech agreeing Chelsea transfer after confirmed news
Alan Hutton has urged Hakim Ziyech to stay at Chelsea and fight for a place in the starting lineup.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Tottenham and Aston Villa right-back insisted Ziyech has the chance to break back into Graham Potter’s side in the second half of the season.
The 29-year-old has found it difficult to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since his £33.3million move from Ajax in 2020 and started just two games for the Blues before the World Cup break.
The Morocco international has been shining at the World Cup, helping his side reach the semi-finals where they suffered a 2-0 defeat to France.
Ziyech has just under three years left on his contract at Chelsea and was heavily linked with a move away in the summer.
As quoted by the Metro last month (24 November), when asked if he will move back to the Eredivisie in January Ziyech said it was “difficult to say”.
The midfielder added that he “doesn’t know” what will happen in the winter window.
When asked if Ziyech could break back into the Chelsea team if he stays for the second half of the season, Hutton told Football Insider: “Possibly.
“It is down to him. He was not being picked by the previous manager. But the new manager has come in and picked him and you can see why.
“He has got that good relationship down the right hand side. He links up really well, makes things happen so he has done really well.
“I think Graham Potter will be watching all the games thinking if he can get that consistently out of him then there is an opportunity for him to play. He obviously needs to raise his level at Chelsea.”
In other news, an insider has revealed new details on Reece James Chelsea return – ‘My understanding is…’.